In today’s world, security is paramount, especially when it comes to physical access to buildings and sensitive areas. Many businesses rely on RFID key fobs and keycards for access control, believing them to be a secure solution. However, a recent, eye-opening discovery reveals a significant vulnerability: nearly 80% of keycards used in commercial facilities are susceptible to hacking due to protocol weaknesses. This poses a serious threat, highlighting the urgent need for businesses to understand the risks associated with easily duplicated RFID key fobs.
This article will delve into the alarming ease with which RFID key fobs can be duplicated, exposing the vulnerabilities in common access control systems. We’ll cover:
- The widespread use and market size of RFID technology.
- How readily available tools like the Flipper Zero can be used to copy access credentials.
- Step-by-step guides on duplicating both older 125kHz and more modern 13.56MHz RFID key fobs.
- The implications of these vulnerabilities for your business security.
- Solutions for upgrading to more secure access control systems that protect against Duplicate Rfid Key Fob threats.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand just how simple it is to create a duplicate RFID key fob and why relying on outdated RFID technology leaves your business vulnerable.
The Pervasive Reach and Hidden Risks of RFID Key Fobs
RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology has become integral to numerous industries, and the access control market is no exception. Research from IDTechEx indicates the substantial scale of this technology, valuing the RFID market at a staggering $12.8 billion in 2022. The related NFC (Near Field Communication) market, often used interchangeably with RFID in access control contexts, reached $23.1 billion in the same year. This massive market encompasses tags, readers, and software for RFID cards and key fobs, highlighting the sheer volume of these devices in circulation. Projections estimate continued growth, with the RFID market expected to reach $31.5 billion by 2031.
This growth reflects the evolution of security from traditional locks and keys to electronic access control systems. RFID key fobs and cards offer a seemingly convenient and modern solution, allowing users to simply swipe or tap for entry. However, this technological advancement also presents new security challenges. Just as any technology evolves, so do the methods to exploit its weaknesses. From the moment RFID was widely adopted, the potential for manipulation and hacking emerged.
A prime example of this vulnerability dates back to 2013. At that time, 125kHz RFID cards, particularly those using the EM4100 protocol, were widely deployed for door access. These cards, often based on CMOS ICs, transmitted their identification information openly, lacking encryption or authentication. This open broadcast made them incredibly susceptible to cloning. Anyone equipped with the right tools could easily intercept and replicate the signals, creating a duplicate RFID key fob and bypassing security measures. This inherent weakness posed a significant security risk, especially for organizations handling sensitive data and assets.
Unveiling the Ease of Access Card Copying
Previous discussions have touched upon the vulnerabilities of HID cards and the Wiegand protocol, demonstrating how HID card readers could be compromised and cloned. This article focuses specifically on the straightforward process of key fob duplication, emphasizing how easily access credentials can be copied, often in mere seconds. Understanding this simplicity is crucial for recognizing the limitations of relying solely on standard RFID key fobs for robust security.
Instant Credential Theft: Copying Key Fobs with Flipper Zero
The Flipper Zero, a compact, handheld device, has gained notoriety for its ability to interact with various radio frequencies, including RFID, NFC, Sub-GHz, and infrared signals. Marketed as a hacking multi-tool, it has effectively exposed the vulnerabilities of numerous legacy systems. Its concealable size and ease of use make it a potent tool in the hands of malicious actors.
Countless online videos showcase the Flipper Zero’s capabilities, from harmless pranks like turning off public TVs to more concerning demonstrations of security breaches. Within the realm of access control, the Flipper Zero starkly illustrates the obsolescence of many keycard and reader systems. As demonstrated in numerous videos, the device can silently copy credentials from a keycard with less than a second of proximity. This surreptitious copying works even through wallets and pockets, meaning someone could create a duplicate RFID key fob without the cardholder’s knowledge.
Once copied, the Flipper Zero can emulate the original keycard, granting access to any doors secured by that card. Critically, the reader cannot differentiate between the genuine card and the Flipper Zero. This capability extends to writing new cards, allowing for the rapid creation of multiple duplicate RFID key fobs for unauthorized access. The speed and ease with which the Flipper Zero can compromise RFID key fobs highlight the urgent need to move beyond vulnerable legacy systems.
Relying on outdated RFID technology for security in the face of such readily available hacking tools is a significant risk. For organizations prioritizing robust security, upgrading to modern, cloud-based access control systems like Kisi is not just advisable, but essential. These systems are designed to mitigate vulnerabilities and offer a more secure and convenient access experience.
The Old Way: Duplicating 125kHz Key Fobs
The vulnerability of 125kHz RFID systems has been known for over a decade. As far back as 2013, security expert Francis Brown demonstrated the ease of copying 125kHz EM4100 key fobs using a custom-built, Arduino-powered reader/writer. Brown’s work underscored the fundamental weakness of these widely used systems.
While many organizations have transitioned to more secure, higher-frequency RFID standards since Brown’s demonstration, a significant number still rely on legacy 125kHz EM4100 cards and fobs. This continued reliance makes them highly vulnerable to attacks and easy duplicate RFID key fob creation.
Modern Simplicity: Copying 125kHz Key Fobs with an RFID Copier
Creating a duplicate RFID key fob for 125kHz systems is remarkably simple and inexpensive using readily available RFID copiers. These handheld devices, often sold online for under $10, streamline the cloning process.
Here’s how a typical handheld RFID copier works:
- Power On and Read: Turn on the device. Hold the original EM4100 key fob or card against the designated side of the copier and press the ‘Read’ button. A beep typically indicates successful reading.
- Write to New Fob: Replace the original fob with a blank, compatible RFID fob. Press the ‘Write’ button. The data from the original fob is then transferred and written onto the new fob, creating a duplicate RFID key fob.
- Verification: Test the new duplicate RFID key fob to confirm it grants access.
The entire process takes less than a minute and requires no technical expertise. The sheer ease of use and low cost of these RFID copiers underscore the significant security risks associated with 125kHz RFID technology.
Beyond 125kHz: Addressing the Vulnerabilities of HID and 13.56MHz Key Fobs
While 125kHz key fobs are notoriously easy to duplicate, questions often arise about the security of the more common 13.56MHz HID cards and fobs. Users frequently inquire about using smartphone NFC to emulate HID proximity cards, reflecting a growing awareness of digital access methods. While 13.56MHz cards offer some enhanced security features compared to their 125kHz counterparts, they are not immune to duplication.
To understand the nuances of 13.56MHz key fob duplication, it’s essential to consider why these cards are initially perceived as more secure.
Why 13.56MHz Cards Pose a Greater Challenge (But Are Still Vulnerable)
The primary security advantage of 13.56MHz cards lies in their higher operating frequency. This higher frequency enables a significantly greater data transfer rate compared to 125kHz systems. Consequently, 13.56MHz cards can accommodate more complex data and encryption methods. Instead of openly broadcasting all data, encrypted 13.56MHz cards communicate with readers through a handshake process. They transmit limited public information, such as their ID and name, requiring authentication for access to sensitive data sectors.
However, this enhanced security is not impenetrable. While encryption makes unauthorized access more difficult, it is not foolproof. Once the encryption algorithm is compromised, the supposedly secure data becomes accessible, allowing for cloning.
Methods for Duplicating 13.56MHz Key Fobs
Despite the encryption, 13.56MHz cards can still be duplicated, though the process is slightly more complex than cloning 125kHz cards. Specialized NFC readers and writers, readily available online, can be used to interact with and, in some cases, clone these cards.
For users seeking a more convenient approach, smartphones equipped with NFC capabilities offer an alternative method for duplicating certain types of 13.56MHz cards, particularly Mifare Classic cards.
Smartphone Cloning: Duplicating Mifare NFC Cards with Your Mobile
While dedicated NFC readers/writers offer one avenue for cloning 13.56MHz cards, Android smartphones with NFC provide an increasingly accessible alternative. The “Mifare Classic Tool” app, available on the Google Play Store, simplifies the process of cloning Mifare Classic 1K cards, a common type of 13.56MHz card. This method leverages the NFC functionality built into many modern smartphones, making duplicate RFID key fob creation even more readily available.
Step-by-Step Smartphone Cloning with Mifare Classic Tool
- Install and Enable NFC: Download and install the “Mifare Classic Tool” app on your Android smartphone. Navigate to your phone’s settings and enable NFC.
- Read Card Data: Open the Mifare Classic Tool app and follow the prompts to read the data from the original Mifare Classic 1K key fob or card. The app attempts to read the card using default manufacturer keys.
- Save Card Data: Once the card data is read successfully, save the data to a file within the app.
- Write to Blank Card: Obtain a blank Mifare Classic 1K card. Using the app’s “Write Sector” function, write the saved data onto the blank card. Sector 0, containing the UID and manufacturer data, is crucial for creating a functional clone.
The Mifare Classic Tool app exploits the widespread failure of many organizations to change the default sector passwords on Mifare Classic cards. By using these default keys, the app can often successfully read and clone these cards, highlighting a significant security oversight.
While newer NFC card technologies like Mifare Desfire EV1 2K offer improved security, the continued vulnerability of widely used Mifare Classic cards and the ease of smartphone-based cloning underscore the need for robust, modern access control solutions. Systems like Kisi, utilizing mobile credentials and 128-bit AES-encrypted NFC cards, provide a significantly more secure alternative to traditional RFID key fobs.
Seeking Truly Secure Access Control?
The ease with which RFID key fobs, both 125kHz and 13.56MHz, can be duplicated using readily available tools and even smartphones presents a clear and present danger to businesses relying on these systems for security. Outdated RFID technology leaves organizations vulnerable to unauthorized access and potential security breaches.
For organizations prioritizing robust security and seeking to mitigate the risks associated with duplicate RFID key fobs, upgrading to a modern access control system is paramount. Request a quote from Kisi today to learn how our secure, cloud-based access control solutions can protect your business from these vulnerabilities and provide a more secure and convenient access experience.
